PAL N64 RGB

[Dr.Wily]

N64 RGB mod on gamesx don't work on PAL N64 because the chip is not the same.

I search for pinout or datasheet for the chip named "DENC-NUS" "RS5C282"

My dream is a RGB signal on PAL N64... My nightmare this is suck DENC chip !

[hellbelly]

Isn't it accepted that the PAL N64 RGB mod is impossible?  Nintendo almost always seem to drop video modes for different regions etc.

There's a few posts on forums saying that there was an early french secam model that was compatible.  I also saw a european website that once sold a kit for PAL n64's.  Although this may have just been converting a poorer quality signal to RGB (there's a scart lead that has Ultra 64 printed on it which also does this).

If you every figured out how to do this you would be very popular!

Pete

[NFG]

There have already been some replies (by Dr. Wily himself IIRC) in a topic where there's a custom DAC converting the NUS chip to RGB.  Those who know how to do it aren't sharing the info.  =/

Note that NUS = Nintendo Ultra Sixtyfour (the origingal name), indicating this is a custom chip.  Of course there's no datasheets for it.

[hellbelly]

Sound very interesting.  A nice project!

Pete

[Dr.Wily]

that there was an early french secam model that was compatible.

Yes I know this rumor. It's the same thing for US and JAP n64 model. All new recent model of NTSC n64 are impossible to mod.

I read on forum that can determine to modify n64 by serial number who start by 0 (zero) after NUP...

This model have a denc chip with RGB out. It can take RGB signal by resistor C124, C125, C126. But on new n64 model this resistors are not on the PCB.

It exist other method like jumper. But nobody knows how to use this.

Note that NUS = Nintendo Ultra Sixtyfour (the origingal name), indicating this is a custom chip. Of course there's no datasheets for it.

I know this part is Nintendo made. but a quick search on the web redirect me on SGI site. I enter this ref. "RS5C282". It's say what this chip is not a pure nintendo made. But a SGI or similar technologies. I continue searching...

[Martin]

Somone posted a topic about this ages ago did they not?
Somone got their PAL N64 Modded to RGB by a german company or something, and it worked. Just the picture flickered sometimes.

[NFG]

It took me a while but I found the thread:

http://nfg.2y.net/forum/index.php?showtopi...st=0&#entry4408

[Aidan]

Yeah, the mod involved a programmable logic device. Note, the following is pure conjecture on my behalf:

It may be that the DENC-NUS chip has a video bus on it that spits out 8bit wide digital video, which the PLD then converts back into analog form. However, even if you had a circuit diagram, without the details of the interconnections in the PLD it'd be fairly useless.

If you look at the PLD board and it's wiring, you'll notice there are 2 wires to power. There are also three wires to the AV port, which I can presume provide the RGB feed out. Lastly, there are nine wires to some kind of bus. I would presume that eight of those wires are data wires, and the 9th wire provides a video clock to keep everything in sync. That would suggest that the mod is intercepting the video bus, and then converting the information travelling across back into RGB. The PLD board also has a number of resistor networks on, too many to be simply for the termination of 9 signals. I believe they may make up three basic R-2R (or similar) DAC converters, which provide the analog values for the RGB signals.

Dr.Wily, what information did you dig up on that (RS5C282) chip? Is it possible to provide some of the links? Did the information you dug up fit with the apparent purpose of the chip at all?

[Aidan]

Well, I threw a few quid at Ebay, and hopefully will receive a PAL N64 in return. Then I can take a better look (and see if I can borrow a logic analyser!) at this particular problem.

[Dr.Wily]

Did you find how to mod PAL N64 ?

[Aidan]

Due to work commitments, I've not actually had a chance to do anything much (Something to do with the company I work for being aquired). I need to sort out a PSU for the machine too, but that's not really a big problem.

[Dr.Wily]

I come give some news about N64 model who support RGB.

I recently see a new PAL model with year 1997 on motherboard.

This model is diferent. It has a VDC chip on it, not DENC. But near (at right) the DENC chip, it has a new IC (U5) called :

- "S-RGB A"
- "BA6596F"
- "732 160"

This is a 24 pin chip.

A strange other thing :

This model has a "1997" motherboard and serial number is : NUP11796059

My original N64 has a "1996" motherboard and serial nuber : NUP14026320

I don't find any datasheet about pinout of S-RGB A chip. If someone know about pinout post here !  

[Scias]

I know this is a very old thread, but what i have to say is relevant.  So I tried to request the datasheet for the BA6596F IC (thought it was worth a shot), cause it's also in my NTSC SNES console, but ROHM denied me:

Dear ___,

Thank you for your interest in Rohm Electronics!

BA6596F is an old custom product for Nintendo. We will not be able to
provide data sheet since this is customer specific part due to
non-disclosure agreement with the customer. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Sincerely,
Wanda Chang
Rohm Electronics
615-620-6714
wchang@rohmelectronics.com

Oh well, at least I get some free IC samples.   I wonder if that non-disclosure agreement ever runs out.  

[NFG]

That's remarkable.  That they even replied, let alone discussed the real reason, is pretty extraordinary.

[kendrick]

To address the point of the non-disclosure agreement? I'm not a lawyer, but having worked in journalism and show business I can tell you that non-disclosure contracts are incredibly specific and seldom negotiable after the fact. That is to say, there's no telling how long that chip vendor's agreement with Nintendo will last unless you actually have the text of the agreement in front of you. It may only last ten years, or it may last until one or both companies no longer exist. The penalties for violation may be as simple as monetary damages, or it may be as complex as forfeiture of some property or asset.

If you're willing to pay for legal services and dig up anything that's public record, it's possible to find out some details. I'm otherwise completely in agreement with Lawrence here, that it's amazing you got as much response as you did.

-KKC

[Scias]

If you're willing to pay for legal services and dig up anything that's public record, it's possible to find out some details. I'm otherwise completely in agreement with Lawrence here, that it's amazing you got as much response as you did.

I thought as much, I wouldn't think they would have any stake in replying to individual private parties (their package came today, and all I got was catalogs.  I CLEARLY checked the free samples box  :rolleyes: ).  

I'm a poor college student so I don't think I'll be paying any legal fees... BUT my university has a largely underused student legal services that has free consultations on Wednesdays.  I've been wanting a reason to go over there for years, just cause it's free.  To find many valuable datasheets and the like floating around out there would be wonderful.  Can't say I'll get there this week or even next week, but I'll get there eventually.

[Shadow_Zero]

How did it work out?
 


EDIT:
Interesting enough, Link83 got more response in his 'SNES & N64 Video Encoder Information/Datasheets' topic (https://nfggames.com/forum2/index.php?topic=3525) !